[Cardiotocography admission monitoring and intermittent intrapartum monitoring for fetal distress in labour]

Abstract

Cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring on admission was performed in 71 patients for 30 to 60 minutes in a semilateral position. Intermittent intrapartum CTG monitoring were performed in 40 of these patients. Admission monitoring might provide information of fetal basic status and predict asphyxia that could develop during labour. There was less intrapartum asphyxia, lower Apgar score, umbilical artery pH < or = 7.10 and meconium stained amniotic fluid in high-score group than that in medium-score group and low-score group (P < 0.05). Admission monitoring had high predictive value of umbilical cord complication in labour and enable to detect them in the early first stage of labour. Fischer's composite score of FHR of admission monitoring was closely related to that of intermittent FHR monitoring in the late first stage of labour. In this study, it is suggested that admission monitoring is a useful, simple, convenient and noninvasive method for screening fetal basic condition. When continuous FHR monitoring is not available, the intermittent intrapartum FHR monitoring in the late first stage of labour is of importance.